Archive for the ‘tamil tradition’ Category

Note: As I have already mentioned, many of my articles disappeared when http://www.indianinteracts.com website disappeared or closed down. This has been one of them.

Karunanidhi ordered for demolition: It is not at all surprising that Karunanidhi, the hidden Aurangazeb has been in action acting against Hindus in his present reign[1]. Under the guise of renovation, a temple mantap was demolished in Kancipuram. What is surprising is that it is not all reported in the media, though it started in April 2008. When a 1000-pillared mantap was demolished at the Tirumala, at least some people objected to it, though the historians, archaeologists and other monument experts, saviours and protectors were sleeping. Now also, the same thing has happened, but for Dr. R. Nagaswamy[2].

500 years old monument demolished: The mantap with carved sculptures braved the vagaries of nature for 500 years, but now, human hands are bringing down the massive mandapa situated in the famed Varadaraja Perumal temple at Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu[3]. Built by the Vijayanagar king Achyuthadevaraya around A.D. 1530, it was known for its few hundred pillars covered with beautiful carvings of dancers, musicians, floral motifs and gods. All these are now smashed to pieces with crowbars. The demolition, which began in April, has picked up pace with a bulldozer being pressed into action.

“Uliyin Osai” in reverse – Sastriyar[4] behaves differently: The Kalainjar was planning for “Uliyin osai”, the sound of chisel – carving sculptures out of stone, but, in action, he ordered to demolish such sculptures. Note, how iconoclasm works against iconogenesis! Hussian painted Hindu Goddesses and Gods in the name of expressing artistic talent of expression, but he actually tried to demolish and blaspheme Hindu Goddesses and Gods with the perverted psyche. The Mohammedan demolition frenzy acted psychologically, as in the cases of Khiljis, Malik kafur, Aurangazeb, Tipu sultan etc. Karunanidhi, the moder-day manipulators does it in his 83 years age.

Rennovation or demolition? Temple officials said it was “not a demolition but dismantling of the mandapa” to assemble it again to house vahanas (vehicles) of the deities. “A donor” was apparently financing “the project” to “dismantle and re-assemble” the mandapa so that the “vahanas can be displayed openly”. The temple comes under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu government. However, no details are known to the public. In fact, the Christian Rajasekhara Reddy also gave similar apologia for his renovation carried on in front of the Tirumala temple.

Dr. R. Nagaswamy says it is total destruction: However, Dr. R. Nagaswamy, former Director of the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department, called it “a thoughtless act of destruction and renovation“. The mandapa could have been cleaned easily, conserved and preserved. “What is happening now is total destruction. They are not dismantling it. They are smashing it with a bulldozer,” he said. The temple was earlier subjected to a bout of vandalism when the murals of Vishnu, Lakshmi and other gods in the Hindu pantheon were whitewashed. The surviving paintings have faded or peeled away. They have not been preserved. Thus, the atheist government may be working in a phased manner, but these devils are posing as savious of Tamil culture and so on! Better, the Tamil lovers, Tamil protagonists and others at least now recognize the iconoclasts and act so that whatever left could be protected.

Demolition carried with the instance of DMK government: These demolitions are done at the instance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in the State[5]. Many times, our Dravidian and Tamil friends used to accuse or even shout at me for always attacking “Karunanidhi”. But, note my dear friends, what has been happening. As now our Maharaja or Chakravarti has been Karunanidhi, as a citizen, I could blame only my ruler. I cannot complain to the ruler of Pakistan or Afganisthan! Therefore, they should not pretend hinding the truth or the heinous crimes of the ruler of Tamilnadu, misusing his status.

The origin of the Mantap and temple: The origin of the Varadaraja Perumal temple at Kancheepuram goes back to about 1,200 years. Nagaswamy, who is also a scholar in Sanskrit, calls it “the most beautiful Vishnu temple at Kancheepuram”. The temple originally consisted of an image of Narasimha at the foot of a small rocky boulder. Later, a standing form of Vishnu was installed on top of the rock. It was then called Arulalar temple. The village was called Athiyur because there were a number of “athi” trees around. The temple began to gain prominence in the 11th century, during the period of the Cholas. Kulotunga Chola encased the rock and built a structural temple around the standing Vishnu circa A.D. 1100. The temple expanded with the construction of several shrines, prakaras (corridors) and gopurams. Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadevaraya built the present sanctum sanctorum, the vimana above it and covered it with gold sheet around A.D. 1525, said Nagaswamy. He also rebuilt the sanctum of Thayaar (Vishnu’s consort) and the vimana, and covered this vimana also with gold. Krishnadevaraya’s successor Achyuthadevaraya built the kalyana mandapa on the left side beyond the western entrance to the temple. This mandapa is known for its several hundred pillars with intricate carvings of horse-riders, dancers, musicians, and gods and goddesses.

Act and Rules violated – the principles of archaeology forgotten: On the right side, “as if to strike a balance”, he built another mandapa with a few hundred pillars, all hewn out of granite. This was used for conducting temple festivals in the past. Later, it was used as a goshala, or cow shed. It is this mandapa that is being pulled down now. It originally encased a central mandapa with carved pillars. This has already been demolished. Broken pillar-members, some of them numbered, lie in a heap. “The entire mandapa is in good condition…. The walls are in perfect alignment. It has survived for 500 years without tilting or developing cracks. Except that it has not been cleaned, it is in good shape,” said Nagaswamy, adding that it could have been easily preserved without demolishing it. No technical report on the mandapa’s condition was prepared before the demolition began. Although some of the pillars that have been pulled down are numbered, it would be impossible to reassemble the mandapa because they are lying in a heap in different places and in broken pieces, he said. Temple officials claimed they would rebuild the mandapa with original pillars as a gallery to house the temple’s vahanas. They claimed they were using the bulldozer only to remove the lime mortar on the ceiling of the mandapa. They would replace the ancient lime mortar with cement mortar. However, the use of cement mortar would be a blatant violation of the canons of conservation, asserted archaeologists[6]. These are the photos of demolition squad in action[7].

Why historians, archaeologists and others are keeping quite? The proverbial, phenomenal or tactful silence maintained by the present-day historians, archaeologists of all categories, secular, progressive, eminent, elite and what not – is understandable. As they expect benefits from the Maharaja Karunanidhi, they do not ask whatever he does. In fact, with sycophancy, they may prise for his sound or nise of chisel that has demolished the monument! As the conferences of TNHC, IHC, APHC, SIHC etc., are coming in the order, let us see whether these people have any guts or sense f their profession to pass any resolution etc., or the K. Veeramanies, Ramasamies and other oldmen would be invited to talk nonsense.

VEDAPRAKASH

29-07-2008

[1] Perhaps, the instances have been well recorded in the internet groups, the people forget the happenings.

[2] Dr. R. Nagaswamy has been the former Director of State Archaeological Department, Tamilnadu and active defender of Indian culture, tradition etc., he has many times tried to refute the anti-historical writings of Micheal Witzel and Company of Harvard University.

[4] Recently, I came to know that the iconoclast assumed this name just like Suryanarayana Sastri imitating him by having the title of “Kalainjar” i.e, Sastriyar. Remember, how Anna used to ridicule one “Sastriyar” in his “Ariya Mayai”!

[5] Ibid.Frontline, Volume 25 – Issue 15 :: Jul. 19-Aug. 01, 2008

[6] Here, unfortunately, the names of the archaeologists have not been mentioned. Perhaps, they are afraid as they are government servants and the rulers can take any action with their vested powers.

The “Social Media Conclave” of Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum held on Nomber 18th, 2017 in Chennai (2)!

The second session: The second panel saw Thirunavakarasu, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence speaking on how the police use social media to help keep people safe. He also mentioned how the fig leaf of anonymity is not as true as people believe, and that the police can track abusers and anti-social elements in social media within no time at all. Other speakers spoke about how ministers such as Mrs. Sushma Swaraj use social media for responding to crises and suggested that ministers and bureaucrats in Tamil Nadu could adopt such best practices. Panelists on Citizen Participation in Governance and Role of Social Media were :

The third and last session: The last panel on enhancing the quality of public discourse in social media in Tamil Nadu articulated the futility of trying to control social media, as the users come from very diverse backgrounds. Some well-thought-through advice also came through in this session. The first was to ignore provocative trolling, as any such response only begets further trolling. One should seek timely police intervention when the line of privacy is crossed and social media abuse spills over to real life. The panelists urged users not to trust everything they see on social media and to use social media constructively as a fact-checking medium. Panelists on Enhancing Quality of Public Discourse in Social Media were :

Makandeya Kaju discussed some of the issues[1]: He has been participating in the social media and media debates and presenting his views on many issues. Just for convenience, his views are taken here in the context[2]:

Twisting facts: One of the defects is that the media often twist facts. I would like to give an example. One day, a leading English newspaper published on its front page a photograph of Justice Gyan Sudha Misra of the Supreme Court with the caption: “Supreme Court Judge says that her daughters are liabilities.” This was a distorted and fallacious item of news, published on the front page. Supreme Court Judges have to disclose their assets and liabilities. Against the liabilities column, Justice Misra had written: “two daughters to be married.” Strictly speaking, it was not necessary to mention this because liabilities mean legal liabilities, for example, housing loan, car loan, and so on. Justice Misra’s intention was obviously to say that she would have to spend on her daughters’ future marriage. She has three daughters (no son), only one of whom has been married. Justice Misra never said, nor intended to say, that her daughters were liabilities. The news was false and defamatory, with the obvious intention of creating a sensation.

Paid news: A second defect concerns the issue of paid news that has become prominent of late. In the 2009 elections, it was a scandal. How this vicious practice could be stopped needs to be discussed. Incidentally, in compliance with an order of the Chief Information Commissioner dated September 19, 2011, we have placed the 71-page report of the Committee consisting of Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Sreenivas Reddy on our website, http://www.presscouncil.nic.in with the disclaimer that the Press Council had rejected this report at its meeting held on April 26, 2010.

Non-issues as real issues: A third defect is that the media often portray non-issues as real issues, while the real issues are sidelined. The real issues in India are economic, that is, the terrible economic conditions in which 80 per cent of our people are living, the poverty, unemployment, lack of housing and medical care and so on. Instead of addressing these real issues, the media often try to divert the attention of people to non-issues.

Such as that the wife of a film actor has become pregnant, whether she will give birth to a single child or to twins, and so on. Are these the real issues facing the nation?

At a Lakme India Fashion Week event, there were 512 accredited journalists covering the event in which models were displaying cotton garments, while the men and women who grew that cotton were killing themselves at a distance of an hour’s flight from Nagpur, in the Vidharbha region. Nobody told that story, except one or two journalists, locally.

No doubt, sometimes the media mention farmers’ suicides, the rise in the price of essential commodities, and so on, but such coverage is at most 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the total. The bulk of the coverage goes to showing the life of film stars, pop music, fashion parades, cricket and astrology.

Tendency to brand: Here is a fourth defect. Bomb blasts have taken place near the Delhi High Court, in Mumbai, Bangalore and so on. Within a few hours of such a bomb blast, many TV channels started showing news items that said that the Indian Mujahideen or the Jaish-e-Mohammed or the Harkatul-Jihad-e-Islam had sent e-mails or text messages claiming responsibility. The names of such alleged organisations will always be Muslim ones. Now, an e-mail can be sent by any mischievous person, but by showing this on TV channels and the next day in the newspapers, the tendency is to brand all Muslims as terrorists and bomb-throwers.

How “social media” is manipulated by politicians, business men and ideologists: The following attitude is also not discussed for solution.

Ironically, that the fake news are manufactured by the media houses is accepted by the panelists and responsible activists.

As usual, they only explained nicely the sins, but, have not provided any solutions to remove it.

50 to 100 and more persons are paid to sit and manipulate “social media” with fake IDs etc., working under the banner of “IT cell”!

No opposite views are encouraged, accepted and hen such views are suppressed or attacked strategically or hacked as last resort.

“I say, you accept” authoritarian attitude is noted. Those who opposed are blocked, hacked and silenced.

The nexus of the politicians, businessmen, cine-field and ideologists is well established and thus, they control the social media.

Even the schools, colleges and universities are manipulated for their business and profits.

Ideologists turned agents demand ransom for their support and hence they go on attack others with one or the other issue.

The media does not discuss important issues of common men, but, always mislead with manufactured data and information.

After cinema, cricket, now, the “social media” has come and people are compelled to join, waste time and get spoiled.

What is the use of these conclaves for common men?: Ironically, the crimes committed because of the influence of social media, the girls and women raped through “facebook” courtship and related issues are not discussed. Again, to assess the conclave and the result, question arises, what it has achieved or going to achieve. The educated elite of these categories with safe job, position and status, they would be surviving, whether Modi is in power or not, but, there have been real workers and opportunistic “new comers”, they would be disturbed, if change occurs. While the former suffer heavily, the later would disappear finding way for their business. For ordinary people, all these verbose, ideologies, data and information and nothing is useful. They do not use social media and it cannot reduce prices, but, encourage intellectual stupidity and arrogance thriving on likes and following. The prices of essential commodities are not going to get reduced, when they go on discuss GDP and all. The number of phone users may increase with the profits of the companies. As long as phone is linked with Adhar, ration card and other things, it looks nice, but, if they do not get rice, sugar, oil and other things, they have to die. At that time all these experts cannot do anything.

The “Social Media Conclave” of Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum held on Nomber 18th, 2017 in Chennai (1)!

Entrance of the Rasika Ranjini Sabha, where the conclave was held.

The board about the conclave.

Registration of the participants.

Joint venture of the conclave on “Social media”: As some friends of Facebook informed about a meeting to be held at Mylapore and invited to come, our group had decided to attend and accordingly, we proceeded to Mylapore[1]. Indeed, the Rasika Ranjini Sabha has been constructed / reconstructed with modern look! At the entrance, two persons were sitting and asked us, whether we wanted to register. After filling up a paper with our names, phone nos, e-mail etc, we were given two plastic folders containing an issue of “Swarajya”, scrbbling pad and a pen, no details about the program or the organizers. Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum (TNYTF) organized its 1st Social Media Conclave on 18 November 2017 at the Hall of Rasika Raanjini Sabha, 30/1, Sundareswarar Street, Mylapore in Chennai. The Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum (TNYTF) organized it in association with the ARR Charitable Trust[2] with an aim to elevate the quality of public discourse in Tamil Nadu as well as the country and appraise social media trends in the state, citizen engagement in governance using social media, role of social media in enhancing quality of public discourse and the future of social media, followed by an open house. Invited Journalists, authors, bloggers and columnists were among the speakers lined up at the conclave. There was an announcement about it in “Swarajya Magazine” website[3]. When I just looked around after sitting, I could find only persons of elite group!

Inauguration of the conclave: Ma Foi K Pandiarajan, (Minister for Tamil, Art & Culture, Archaeology and Museums, Government of Tamil Nadu) Said[4], “The Tamilnadu government will soon be introducing 1,000 new Tamil words every month to strengthen the language’s vocabulary. This will be implemented with the help of language experts in the State.” He was the chief guest at the first social media conclave of the Tamilnadu Young Thinkers’ Forum, conducted here today in association with ARR Charitable Trust. “The state of Tamil language in the international arena is not good. For example, even Google translate is not able to get the grammar correct when it comes to our mother tongue while it does its job fluently in other languages. The main reason for this, I believe, is the lack of constructive propagation. The language continues to be hard to imbibe for new learners…………As of now, Tamil stands in the 16th place worldwide while Hindustani stands in 10th position. So, to take the language forward, we have to simplify and propagate it through social media. We should make Tamil more inclusive to all.” Thus, he highlighted the pros and cons of the increasing role of social media in our lives, first tracing the evolution of print media to television to social media. He spoke of the crucial role of social media in the Chennai floods, Jallikattu protests, and Cyclone Vardah. He also noted that Tamil had slipped in its position in language usage on Internet platforms from No.2 to No.10 and urged the audience to restore its pre-eminent position.

In Afghanistan, there is no current in most of the places and hence there is no internet facilities: The panelists kept the audience of more than 250 active netizens keenly engaged with various topical issues of contemporary interest and current trends, particularly keeping the Tamil social media platforms in mind[5]. The figure is exaggerated, as only 100 would have come. Multi-faceted inputs were offered by all the speakers, including the distinguished guest of honor, Allah Mohammad Kakar, who is a member of Afghanistan Youth Parliament from Kabul. He said, “Tamil language and culture is indeed exceptional. We at Afghanistan telecast Tamil movies to create awareness about family bonding and to create cultural integrity. In Afghanistan, Tamil food is still longed for. As a country, we have been totally destroyed by wars. After every war, we build our country from scratch.” Mohammed also spoke about Afghanistan’s Internet reach and its trends on social media[6]. He gave data obtained from the capital, Kabul, as that is the safest place in Afganistan, as he claimed and tried to show that few women were also active in the Social media. In most of the other places, there is no internet facility is available, as there is no power!

The first session: Panelists on Trends in Social Media in Tamil Nadu were :

Ashokha Varshini – Journalist and Anchor, Thanthi TV.

Shyam Sekhar – Entrepreneur and investment thinker

Prasanna Viswanathan – CEO, Swarajya.

Ashwin Kumar – UnReal Columnist

Trending news, fake news etc- (11.01 to 11.12 am): Asoka Varshini started with “Trending news” as appearing in her phone, and she claimed that it was not matching with Tamilnadu. She pointed out that the trends are manufactured, sponsored, forced on youngsters using the expression, “You guys”. The fake news has to be tackled with the technology. The private companies work for their profits and therefore, they do not have concern for social welfare. Hence, the staff of these companies manipulaate accounts etc. Donald Trump’s twitter account was stopped by his staff for 11 minutes[7]. The Guardian reported[8], “A Twitter employee deactivated Donald Trump’s personal account on their last day of work, the company said on Thursday, likely meaning the action was deliberate. The move by the employee – who has not been named – meant that the president’s @realdonaldtrump account was down for 11 minutes.”

Mass movements are instigated for subversion (11.12 to 11.27 am): Prasanna Viswanathan claimed that Thamilnadu has been unique in the Social media, pointing out the following features:

Leftist orientation is gaining in Tamilnadu, that is stunning and proving the bankruptcy of intelligentsia. The anti-Industry attitude is also alarming. The eco-fascism is exhibited in opposing neutrino project, hydrocarbon, etc.

They tried to make Tamilnadu as “agitational ground” after the success of “jallikattu” movement. Thus, they want every issue to be turned out to be such movement.

Unfortunately, conspiracy theory like “Illumaniti” working in Tamilnadu is sickening.

By every issue, political subversion is tried to be brought.

The misogynist attitude found in attacking Chinmayoi etc., proves the dangerous trend of ideology, targeting attacking one particular community.

The Hinduphobia is also noted, under the guise of attacking one ideology, social group etc.

Unfortunately, the mainstream media has also aiding and abetting these trends.

The Social media could be made useful (11.28 to 1.39 pm): Shyam Sekar delved upon the following: The rise of “Social media” is based on the bankruptcy of ideology. It starts with funds of the capitalists, that is neither black nor white, but “grey”. TN politics has been OBC politics, but, it lacks political will. Had TN plugged the holes of pilferage, leakages etc., in Electricity, it would have excelled Gujarat. The TN Social media spread a lot of lies about GST, demonetization and other issues. It was Chidambaram who introduced “Corporate tax” to be paid minimum 20%, yet, the social media propaganda claims that the corporate pay no tax. The social media could be made useful by the following methods, instead of blaming each other:

Friendship (learn from each other)

Following (mutual issues)

Fellowship (discussing confidential issues).

Like any other party, BJP is also OBC party and the politic trend would be same.

Then, the “emperor of satire” – Aswin Kumar spoke……………..that was not so impressive, as generalized one.

Thus, the first panel on current trends in social media in Tamil Nadu drew attention to the sharp polarisation of Tamil Nadu social media users, the increasing use of social media by political parties and affiliates, and the agitation politics – a recent trend in Tamil Nadu that gets amplified by social media. The ubiquitous presence of memes in Tamil and the “going-viral” of such memes were talked about in this session.

[1] On 17-11-2017, when I contacted, the Sabha, I was informed that there was no such meeting. Then, on 18-11-2017, again, contacted, somebody confirmed that the meeting was there. One of the two numbers given was wromg – 98840 15909 / 99401 88325.

[2] A R R Charitable Trust based in Chennai, 99-A, Royapettah High Road, Royapettah, in the district Chennai and the region Tamil Nadu it’s in the Southern of India.

Black magic, transfer of spirit and all sorceries carried on in the Land of Dravidanadu, where Periyar was born (1)

The Dravidian totalitarian and rationalistic rule during 1960-70s: In Tamilnadu, the Dravidian politicians used to claim about their “rational atheism”, “analytical wisdom” and so on, but in actual life, most of them have been God-believers worshipping God stealthily or by proxy i.e., through their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. Some of them used to worship gods stealthily in their houses also with puja rooms. However, they say that “I am an atheist, but, I do not interfere with the belief of our family members”. How then, they could interfere with belief of crores of people of Tamilnadu? In public and platform, they pour abuses with the worst filthy language on Hindu religion, Gods and Goddesses and practices that no woman could bear. Yet, they have earned the titles of “Periyar” [big / great person among others or all], “Aringnar” [the only person who knows all], “Kalainjar” [the person who has been expert in all arts / subjects] and so on! Thus, the superiority complex that has been working in their mind set, makes others always to listen to them, accept what they say and none should or could ask any question. During the 1960s, if anybody would question them would be thrashed down.

During the LPG regime / Internet age, questioning started: This is the way, they have been reigning supreme for the last 60 years. Only their views made public and circulated authoritatively[1]. However, when, internet came, the people started understanding their ambiguous dogma, hollow philosophy and dubious ideology of these groups. The youngsters could easily understand their selective, biased and pre-conceived propaganda carried against one particular religion i.e, Hindu religion[2]. As a ruler, the Dravidian or atheist Chief Minister has to administer and perform his duties as per the Constitutional and other statutory provisions treating all believers. However, in the case of Hindu religion, temples, temple administration, lease and rental of temple and mutt properties, conduct of rituals, rites and ceremonies, they interfered and spoiled many times. Though, the recent past is suppressed, the beating of Rama with chappals and other incidences make the youngsters to realize the duplicity of the Dravidian protagonists. The ganging up of splinter groups of Communists, anti-Hindu ideologists, particularly the Christian and Muslim groups joining them raise questions and they have understood that it is only anti-Hindu and secular or “Paguttaravi”, as being claimed. Under such circumstances, the recent happenings in Tamilnadu exposes their another ugly face of them.

Annadurai suddely died in 1969: C. N. Annadurai from high caste Mudaliar community was in power during the period 1967 – 1969. However, he fell ill due to excessive usage of tobacco substances. In September 1968 Annadurai went to New York for medical treatment and admitted in the hospital. After diagnosis, it was found out that there was malignant growth in his gullet and hence he was operated for Cancer in the gullet at the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center. He returned to Chennai in November 1968 and continued to address several official functions against medical advice. His health deteriorated further and he died suddenly on 3 February 1969 within three months returning from USA after sugery and treatment. His cancer was attributed to his habit of chewing tobacco. However, some of the family members doubted about his sudden death. When Karunanidhi immediately took over as CM, people resented about his haste action. They questioned why the senior pontiff Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati of Kanchi Mutt wore spectacles as to why God could not have rectified his eyesight without glasses. But, here, none questioned as to why the science allowed man to die in that way in spite of the treatment etc. Later, MGR was also subjected to similar conditions. M. R. Radha attempted to kill MGR (on January 12, 1967), of course, he was not in power. After becoming CM, he was also not having proper health (in 1983 kidney problem developed), admitted to Brooklyn hospital US, returned after kidney transplant on February 4, 1985, but had to get treatment again and again in US and died on December 24, 1987.

Dravidian brand of astrologers, predictors and magicians: When the DMK came to power, the first thing, they did was to legalize the marriages performed under the “Pakuthtarivi” / “Suyamariyadhai” categories, as such marriages were held null and void in the courts. The rationalism did not work with the scientific judiciary system. Thus, they became cautious in dealing with social issues. The Dravidian politicias have been interested in astrology, auspicious time and date, black magic and all sorts of such superstitious practices, irrational rites and credulous rituals. Though, they denounce everything in public, in private, they practiced and hence their brand of Dravidian astrologers, predicting experts and magicians have been developed in due course and they have to keep the secrets in person, not to tell anybody in public and carry on their business, to safeguard their interests. That is why Karunanidhi used to hesitate to enter the Brahadheswarar temple, but wear yellow shwal as per the advice of his “asthana jyodhidar”, court / personal astrologer. Under such circumstances, the current events are to be analyzed.

The antics, gimmicks and counter-rituals of of Dravida Kazhagam and allied groups: The Dravidar Kazhagam used to play gimmicks by imitating the ritual of coconut breaking, fasting during eclipses, firewalk, carrying pots of burning coal, spiking one’s tongue and body with iron hooks, the concept of auspicious time, astrology, palm reading etc[3]. Though, they used to criticize only Hindu religion for the so-called “ritualism”[4], they close eyes, when they themselves follow such “ritualistic” practices, i.e, respecting the statues of EVR, Maniammai, celebrating birth and death days, garlanding and showering the idols with flowers. However, they never reenact the “crucifixion” of the Christians and bleeding beatings of “Shia Muslims” exposing their hypocrisy. Again, when Jayalalita was in hospital, the followers carried on all devoted rituals and rites praying all gods to save her. Incidentally, they were carried on in the most “secular” way, in the sense, Christians and Muslims have also participated. Therefore, tactfully, the DK groups kept silence to prove their ideology!

Was Jayalalita died because of black magic?: The Daily Mail, UK carried a news item as follows[5]: “A leading astro guru in Chennai has said that Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa is a victim of black magic which has left her hospitalised since September, 2017. Not willing to identify himself for security reasons, the spiritual guru said Jayalalithaa has suffered from bad health because she has too many rivals. “It’s not just people from the rival party (DMK) who have spent huge money on tantriks to damage Jayalalithaa’s health. “I have no hesitation in saying that she has detractors even within her own party (AIADMK) who wanted to see her suffer,” he said. News on the health condition of Jayalalithaa is being kept a top secret. She is admitted in Apollo hospital in Chennai. Apart from a team of in-house specialists, doctors from the AIIMS New Delhi and a critical care specialist from London, are also involved in ensuring the CM is now stable. The astro guru also said it was quite possible Jayalalithaa’s arch rival M Karunanidhi could also be suffering from bad health due to tantrik spells. “Rivalry in political circles is very common and it would be wrong to say only one political party indulges in black magic and sorcery. This is noholds barred…,” he said”.

The position and condition when Jaya was not feeling well (September to December 2016): What we can understand from this, are the following points[6]:

Not willing to identify himself for security reasons, the spiritual guru said Jayalalithaa has suffered from bad health because she has too many rivals.

“It’s not just people from the rival party (DMK) who have spent huge money on tantriks to damage Jayalalithaa’s health.

“I have no hesitation in saying that she has detractors even within her own party (AIADMK) who wanted to see her suffer,” he said.

News on the health condition of Jayalalithaa was being kept a top secret.

Thus, the nexus between the Dravidian politicians and the tantriks came out publically in the media. Ironically, none of the Dravidian ideologists like K. Veeramani, Kali Pungundran, “Viduthalai” Rajendran, Kolattur Mani and others refuted this, but, kept quite. Whom they were meeting, how the money paid, where the rituals taking place – the details – nothing known or revealed to anybody. Under such circumstances, the black magic affairs of one Karthikeyan came just after the death of Jayalalitha on 05-12-2016.

[1] In 1956 August first, Dravidia Kazhagam asked the volunteers to bum pictures of Lord Rama as the organization considered Ramayana as anti-women and anti lower castes etc. one Dravidia Kazhagam leader in the name of Thiruvarur Thangarajan wrote a new version of Ramayana way Rama was portrayed as a villain. The Dravidia Kazhagam film star M.R. Radha staged the play throughout the state. The Government led by the Chief Minister Kamaraj immediately banned the play but Dravidia Kazhagam after obtaining court’s pem1ission staged the play in selected towns.

[2] At the instigation of Thiru E. V. Ramaswami Naicker, the Leader of Dravida Kazhagam, several tableaus depicting the picture of Gods Rama and Muruga were being beaten by a chappal in a procession held at Salem on 23rd and 24th January 1971. When one individual printed the photos of the procession, the DMK government banned and seized the posters. The Government of Tamil Nadu issued a Notification G. O. Ms. No. 491 Home dated 12-2-1971 directing the posters to be forfeited to the Government on the ground that the said posters contained matters which promote or intend to promote the feelings of enmity and hatred between different classes of citizens of India or which is deliberately or maliciously intended to outrage the religious feelings of any such class by insulting the religion or the religious feelings of that class.

How BJP has gone in the Congress way to bend the law citing Shah Bano and taking ordinance route to Jallikkattu!

Environment, Animal Husbandry department of Agriculture Ministry, Law and finally Home – ministries engaded to clear the Ordinance (19 / 20-01-2016): The sport, which goes back to the Tamil classical period, was banned following a Supreme Court order in May 2014, but spontaneous protests in Chennai have thrust the issue into limelight and sent Tamil Nadu CM O. Pannerselvam rushing to Delhi to seek an ordinance to overturn the ban[1]. In December, 2016 the court had reserved its judgment on a clutch of petitions that challenged the central government’s notification in January 2016 allowing bulls to be used in JallikattuAs an interim order, a bench led by Justice Misra had on January 13, 2016, stayed the Centre’s notification, due to which the apex court’s original order of 2014 banning Jallikattu is still in force. [2]. How all these processes took place, why the involved kept quite, delayed or played safe and all are debated again and again. Later in the evening of 20-01-2017, the Centre cleared the final legal hurdles in holding Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu over the weekend by approving the state’s draft Ordinance. The draft Ordinance, which will add a state-specific exception in the 1960 Act, passed through four ministries during the day — Environment, Animal Husbandry department of Agriculture Ministry, Law and finally Home — receiving consent from each within hours. Again, it proved the hasty, urgency and injudicious act to settle the issue. In its comments on the draft, the Environment Ministry, which administers the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, is learnt to have taken the view that Jallikattu had to be viewed in its cultural context, and that a decision on banning the sport could not be purely legal in nature. The last nod had to be given by the Ministry of Home.

Now, it is clear that the issue is political: The final clearance of the Ordinance by the Home Ministry came just a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to find a legal solution to the issue. Panneerselvam postponed his return to Chennai on Thursday (19-01-2017) and stayed put in the capital till Friday (20-01-2017) morning as his government prepared the draft Ordinance and handed it to the Centre. Top Tamil Nadu officials made the rounds of different ministries to hold consultations and decide the final language of the Ordinance that will put bulls on the list of performing animals in the state. A group of MPs from the state, led by Lok Sabha deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai, also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave to press for the Ordinance. Whether the AIADMK was playing its internal politics or otherwise, the gameplan involved was exposed. With the Centre drawing flak, BJP sought to project that its government was actively engaged in resolving the issue[3].

The anti-Modi placards, sloganeering etc., are inexplicable: It is evident that sizable crowd of the “Jallikkattu” protesters were not students, but members of the radical groups like ma.ka.i.ka and its associated organizations. All the fringe Communist clusters also joined. The Muslim presence could be noted. Thus, the anti-Modi placards, sloganeering and shoutings appeared intriguing in the context. That too, several placards carried very vulgar, indecent and unparliamentary words and expressions. Why, how and for what purposes, they used, only, they have to explain. But, definitely, such aberration marred their cultural claims made on the civilization, heritage and tradition in the name of Tamil, Tamils and Tamilnadu. The separatist sloganeering also exposed the involvement of fringe elements. Asian Age reported that[4], “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rejection of the state’s demand for a Central ordinance on jallikattu has triggered widespread anger in Tamil Nadu”. Residents geared up for massive protests on Friday (20-01-2017), with all sections of people joining students and youth fighting to save its traditional sport and preserve Tamil culture. Furious jallikattu protesters widened the canvass of the protests to include all issues in which the state’s rights were trampled. One of the students, Senthilnathan, who had gathered at the Marina asked, “If Narendra Modi is so concerned about respecting the Supreme Court, why had he opposed the apex court’s verdict to form the Cauvery Management Board?”.

Anti-national slogans were also raised: Protesting Tamil youth vowed to return the Aadhaar cards as a sign of declaration that they are no more the citizens of India. The protesters also targeted the railways blocking the trains in several parts of the state. Traders associations announced a total shutdown on Friday and cinema theatres would remain closed to express support the agitations. The Marina continued to be the epicentre of agitations for Tamil pride with the gathering of youth reaching about 90,000 for a stretch of about three kilometre on Thursday (19-01-2017) evening. The sound of waves were drowned by slogan shouting and drum beating youth, who supported jallikattu and demanded a ban on Peta, which was instrumental for jallikattu ban. There were hundreds of protests throughout the city, besides the agitations in every district and taluk of Tamil Nadu. The southern districts continued to vibrate with jallikattu protests centred around the historic city of Madurai. Besides boys and girls, children and working and housewives too joined the agitations throughout Tamil Nadu, voicing their anger against the unjust treatment to Tamil Nadu on a range of issues from the massacre of Sri Lankan Tamils to the non-formation of Cauvery Management Board[5].

Chennai had two faces in the “Jallikkatu” shows and bandhs: On 20-01-2017, the worst sufferers had been the office goers, regular teavellers and some students who attend private professional institutions. Autos and call taxis kept off the roads even as few government buses plied on the roads with improper announcement[6]. That the Banking operations took a hit with workers taking part in protests and Employees of various IT companies held placards and banners with slogans against NGO People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) etc., appeared artificial, perhaps, they too wanted publicity or showed them to be supporting for the cause with the vested interests. The “Jallikkattu” protesters purposely occupied the most-crowded junctions, bus-stands and such other places, just to get the attention of others. This only created nuisance at morning and evening hours. Many inter and intra-state trains were fully and partially cancelled while some others were diverted. The suburban EMU services ran late. In Chennai, all roads led to Marina beach with men and women, clad in black, besides children joining the protest that has transcended political and other differences. Though, the schools and colleges did not function, as leave was given to them, the office goers and regular travellers of buses and trains suffered heavily and the autos fleeced them as usual taking the opportunity.

Shah Bano and Jallikkattu: How BJP has gone in the Congress way to bend the law!

Venkaiah Naidu citing “Shah Bano” case precedence (10-01-2017)[1]: Venkaiah Naidu hinted that in the view of strong emotional connect of the people of Tamil Nadu with jallikattu, the Centre was mulling over a way out after the Supreme Court banned it. He claimed that Centre is mulling the idea of amending the law to nullify Supreme Court order on Jallikattu. “We are getting suggestions (to amend the law). After all, we did it in the Shah Bano case,” said Naidu adding[2], “But, we will have to see. We will have to discuss. We will have to weigh what court thinks.” However, Naidu was non-committal about bringing an ordinance to deal with the Supreme Court order on Jallikattu, saying[3], “I am not dealing with the subject in the government.” Speaking at the India Today Conclave South in Chennai, Venkaiah Naidu said[4], “Personally, I feel that Jallikattu is a traditional art. It is a traditional sport in Tamil Nadu. Nobody should have problem with this.” But, Naidu also added, “I don’t know whether I should be saying this as a minister.” So just like Rajiv Gandhi, the BJP has also decided to politicize the issue, by bending the law by creating another bad precedence of law. In fact, the so-called “India Today” conclave had given much focus to the “Jallikkattu” issue, calling opinion from others. Now, let us note, what the “Shah Bano” case brought out in Indian judicial, political and religious arena.

The brief of Sha Bano case[5]: Though, the details of the “Shah Bano case” are known, they are briefed here as follows[6]:

Shah Bano, who was 62 years old in 1978, was divorced by her husband using the triple talaq law.

Bano, who was left with five children, approached the court to seek justice.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court had instructed Bano’s husband Mohammed Ahmed Khan to provide Rs 179 per month as maintenance.

The case reached Supreme Court, with the bench announcing a verdict in 1985, instructing that Shah Bano should be provided all the benefits which divorced women from other religious communities are entitled to.

The observations of court drew sharp reaction from conservative Muslims, who called it a violation of their religious affairs.

Fearing ire from the Muslim community, Congress government at Centre led by Rajiv Gandhi amended the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. The amended legislation nullified the Supreme Court’s order.

At that time, a lot of criticism was made against Rajiv Gandhi and Congress for yielding to the Islamic fundamental forces by reversing the Supre Court judgment.

Jallikkatu issue goes in the Sha Bano route: The political solution to this public demand in case of Jallikattu is to pass an ordinance, overturning and reversing the Supreme Court ban, is well understood, but, bad in the law. The job of the apex court is to simply interpret statutes and constitution provisions. The Apex Court enters the arena of traditions, religious practices or even cricket administration, only when such issues come to the court. In the Shah Bano case, the apex court’s verdict was overturned by Parliament (which had the brute majority of the ruling party). The utopia that the voice of “the people” is supreme too works with the ruling politicians. Unfortunately, there is a thin dividing line between robust democracy and mobocracy, or mere capitulation by politicians to mass hysteria and this is what happened in the Jallikkttu case. Who has whipped up mass hysteria to generate short-term political advantage, is yet to be known clearly, though, the sudden surge has been claimed as “spontaneous and apolitical”. It is, therefore, worth recalling incidents when the brute power of elected governments was thwarted by sound legal principles, and even the power of ordinance was blunted by the apex court. Whether the “emotional blackmail”, “ideological extortion”, “cultural counter threat”, definitely, it has shown a bad way for such incited, provoked and encouraged groups again bargain, so that the judiciary becomes a mockery of democracy.

Politicians are interested in safeguarding their interests[7]: Of course, the most celebrated case is the Keshavanand Bharti case, fought so successfully by Nani Palkhiwala, which has ever since protected the basic structure of the Constitution of India. It cannot be amended by the legislature. A more recent example is from May 2002, when the Supreme Court decreed that all candidates who stand for elections must declare, via sworn affidavits, their criminal antecedents (if any), their wealth (ill begotten or not), and their education status. This was based on the voters’ right to know before they cast their vote. The Union Cabinet in its wisdom sought to nullify this verdict through a hastily drawn up ordinance in June 2002, as the entire political establishment did not want to disclose any information, or details of their candidates. But citizen activists across the nation got together and asked the then President Abdul Kalam to refuse to sign that ordinance. He had to sign since the Cabinet refused to budge, or dilute its ordinance. Hence, this ordinance (even before it could be presented to Parliament) was challenged in the Supreme Court as being un-constitutional. Denying information to voters was akin to denying freedom of expression (as casting a vote is like expressing yourself). Remember the Right to Information was passed in 2005, three years later. In March 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that the said ordinance seeking to gag information about candidates was unconstitutional and hence null and void. Hence the ordinance was defeated. As for Jallikattu, it’s a wholly different animal and the polticians may bend the law again[8].

Requesting Supreme Court to delay the judgment and passing the Ordinance (20-01-2017)[9]: Hours after the Central government requested the Supreme Court to delay its judgment on the legality of Jallikattu, citing “huge unrest” in Tamil Nadu, it approved a draft Ordinance by the state government to make an exception for bulls in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Earlier, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told a bench led by Justice Dipak Misra that there were “immense problems” in Tamil Nadu due to the interim ban on Jallikattu and that the circumstances warranted delaying the judgment at least by a week. “If this court pronounces the judgment in one way or another, it (judgment) would inflame passions…there is already social unrest in the state. The Centre and the state are in talks to find a way out in the matter and our request is that the court should not deliver the judgment and hold back for a while,” submitted the AG. At this, Justice Misra asked Rohatgi how many days he wanted the judgment to be delayed. “At least for a week,” replied AG. To this, the judge responded[10]: “Okay.”

Earlier, Nandi posted in WordPress.com, in which he has made several mistakes. After pointing out (see below), now, he is coning out here with corrections made without acknowledging.

I am posting the following as a reply to Nandi”s posting appearing here:

My attention is drawn to your posting in WordPress.com.

I offer my comments to your post:

“India was an island nation surrounded by seas hence it had the name நாவலந்தீவு”.

Is to so? Kindly tell me, where the expression “நாவலந்தீவு” is found in the ancient Tamil literature or “Sangam” literature?

“In such a scenario to claim that a Land Bridge built 1,750.000 years ago when no human being had inhabited the Earth”

In haste, you are mentioning as 1,750 years (1,750.000 = 1750).

Paula Richman wrote a book titled “Many Ramayanas” Yes the question before us is to accept which Ramayana as true story?.

You claimed youself as a rationalist / atheist etc. Then, you have to be careful in quoting from secondary sources, because, non-Hindus or anti-Hindus can write anything and quoting such biased ideas make you unbecoming of a “rationalist / atheist”. You should have read H. D. Sankalia also before jumping into the so-called “debate”.

Your mention about Jain / Buddha Ramayanas: As Ramayana has become so popular, even Jains and Buddhists had to imitate Ramayana by changing the story, just like Kulandai. Therefore, there is nothing new in it. As a researcher or scholar or historian, you have to demythologize and find out the truth, instead of relying upon “such myth on myth”, straightaway.

[The biblical Adam and Eve’s story and its resemblance could also be taken note of] Sita becoming a monket after eating a fruit: This shows that either you have not read the story properly or misquoting or rather drawing wrong parallel with the biblical Adam and Eve (don’t try to escape by telling that I am a rationalist and all). I do not know as to whether Eve became monkey to have such forceful comparison!

You furthering the above story: Here, you are perhaps nearing the biblical fables, as Jesus also reportedly married to May Magdelene. Perhaps, you decided to not stretch it.

According to Thais, Hanuman had many affairs and children: Naturally, if the wishes are horses, even blind can fly. Why Thais, even Annba did it. As you are a rationalist and atheist, you quote all these things, so enjoy.

Anna’s inconclusive debate on Kamba Ramayanam: “Navalar Somasundara Bharathiar and சொல்லின் செல்வர் R.P.Sethu Pillai debated with Anna and openly admitted they have lost the debate. This debate in Tamil Book “Let Fire Spread” தீபரவட்டும் wants to illuminate Tamil hearts by symbolically burning Kamba ramayanam. Pulavar Kuzhanthai wrote இராவண காவியம் . Ravana Kavyam can be considered as Dravidian version of Ramayanam”.No, they were ashamed of the perversity and vulgarity erupted in the name of literary flow and hanged their heads. Any Tamil knowing or reading person would hang his head after reading as it is just like “yellow journalism” circulated under the “Dravidian” banner, that too, coming from Anna, wjo became Chief Minister of Tamilnadu taking oath under the Indian Constitution, that has been written by Ambedkar. Anyway, the facts are as follows:

N The so called debate was held in the auditorium ofLaw
College, Madras on 09-02-1943 under Ramachandra Chettiyar.

N Anna started speaking and took more than one and half hours leaving no time to others.

N Pointing out the falsehood in his speech, R. P. Sethu Pillai openly spoke about his weakness in the argument. In fact, re ridiculed Anna for quoting from “Northern Nehru”, being a “Nakkiran” (one who always finds fault with others). Regretting that he could not speak for long time, he wound up his speech within ten minutes. He dared him that he would even come to Kanchipuram for another debate on the subject matter, if he would invite him.

N Ezattu Adigal, who followed him, was asked to cut short his speech within five minutes.

N Then Srinivasan started speaking, but he was prevented from speaking, as the DK activists created a riot-like condition. He had to stop his speech, because of the pandemonium created by them.

N But, Anna was given a chance to speak again!

N So that was the debate conducted with “freedom of speech” and respect for speakers!

N However, winding up, C. M. Ramachandra Chetti concluded that he could not give his opinion, as the debate had been inconclusive.

The main point discussed was as to whether Ravana was an Aryan or Dravidian. Thus, the first debate had been the most undemocratic conducted under controlled conditions with rioters.

The second debate was conducted on 14-03-1943 at Devanga Padasalai, Sevvaipettai,
Salem. Salem College A. Ramasamy presided over Anna and Somasundara Bharathi spoke.

N Anna spoke as usual taking full time.

N Somasundara Bharathi pointed out that Anna spoke as an orator with brimming emotion not as a debater. He then, however brought out his points refuting Anna;s talk.

N He left, as his speech was over and moreover, he had to catch his train, as plannede by the organizers.

N But, after his departure, Anna was given a chance and he stressed upon Ravana’s race and concluded with the demand of burning “scriptures of Aryans”.

N A. Ramasamy, though did not gave any result about the debate, he pointed out that there was “vulgarity” in Kamba Ramayanam.

In any case, such diverted reference has nothing to do with the “Ramar’s Palam”.

“The question before us which of these versions is based on true historical facts. These are not days where everyone will accept anything with blind faith. If you place new facts to reopen a settled issue in history, you should place facts and prove it”.

Yes, yes. Nowadays, everybody can get information easily and they decide about truth behind it. Even in those days (when Anna debated), the other scholars were not allowed to speak or threatened with dire consequences. In other words, they used their own type of terrorism in those days. Now, let us see, how truth is faced.

“Let us examine the falsehoods one by one. We from the Dravidian Movement are atheists but not Ravana; all know that Ravana as per epics is a devotee of Lord Siva. The doubt which arises to me is why should a reincarnation of God perform superhuman deeds to impress demigods? Does it mean that Demigods are more powerful than the Original God on reincarnation?”

Interestingly, the answer is there in the so-called above debate, as they debated only about the race of Ravana as to whether he was an Aryan or Dravidian! Rationalist or atheist has to deny such myth. Having believed it as a myth, why one should worry about it as to whether it works or not? Without Ramayana myth, there is no Ravana. If Ramayana is myth, Ravana is also a myth. Then, why debate about his “racist credentials”?

“There are many books on Indian Ocean. All these books give us evidences on the continental drift, the submerged lands of the Lemuria, which Tamils prefer to call as the Kumari Kandam”.

Yes, but note again, the western scholars do not believe in such hypotheses. Why them, even Indian eminent historians not only do not accept, but also dub them as myth.

Mr. Nandi Varman, go to Endo-eurasian group and other forums, where Tamil literature is misinterpreted and disrespected. Steve Farmer openly accuses that your friend R. Mathivanan is a foregerer. They go on debate even without knowing the fundamentals of Tamil and Tamil literature. I feel it is better spend your energy there instead of politicizing the issue.